Lesotho King Motlotiehi Letsie III and Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili pledged Saturday in Maseru that the tiny mountain kingdom sticks to the "one China" policy.

The two leaders made the statement while meeting respectively with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, who arrived on Friday for a two-day visit to the kingdom.

Whiling meeting with the king, Li said that the two countries have achieved positive achievements in various aspects since the resumption of diplomatic relations 11 years ago, particularly after the visits to China of the king in 1999 and the prime minister in 2001.

He said that the National Convention Center and the Butha-Buthe Industrial Complex, which were built with the economic aid from China, serve as the symbol of the friendship between the two countries. Progress is being made on construction of some other projects such as the State Library.

"China appreciates very much for the Lesotho government to persist in 'one China' policy and oppose the move of 'the Taiwan independence.' China also express its thanks for the kingdom for its support to China in the international affairs," he added.

King Letsie III said that the Lesotho people cherish sincere thanks to China for its generous assistance. All Lesotho people know and appreciate China's economic assistance projects, specialists and medical team dispatched by China. "Sino-Lesotho friendship are deeply rooted among the people. Lesotho would like to make concerted efforts with China to advance the friendly cooperation between the two countries."

Mosisili told the visiting Chinese minister that Lesotho will firmly hold the "one China" policy. This is not a makeshift but the matter of principle and belief. This stance will not be sold for money.

He stressed that Lesotho attaches importance to the relation with China and it will further enhance such relations in reconstruction, regional cooperation and in maintaining peace of the world.